WorldSteel figures cited in a report Wednesday by the Fars News Agency showed that in March, Iran’s steel plant announced 3.3 million metres of metal tonnes (MT) in March.
The output will allow Iran to rise to third place in the world’s largest steel producers ranking, according to the report, adding that the top six producers in March are China, India, Japan, the US, Russia and South Korea.
India reported the biggest increase in monthly steel production among the 10 largest producers, including Turkey, Germany and Brazil.
The figures show that Iran’s quarterly steel production reached 7.3 million mt in March in three months, a 12.8% decline compared to the same period in 2023.
The data showed that Iran’s production accounts for 62.26% of total output in Western Asia, including Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
Global steel production in March was 166.1 million mt, an increase of 2.9% from March 2024, but quarterly production reached 468.6 million mt, a 0.4% decrease from the previous year.
Iranian steel producers have faced cuts in their energy supply over past summer and winter months, when household demand for electricity and gas rose to record levels.
This reduced Iran’s production and steel exports, but remained in its position as the world’s 10th largest steel producer for almost every month of 2024.
MNA/